Richmond will be handed a dream draw when the 2017 AFL fixture is releasedJAY CLARK
Herald Sun
October 26, 2016RICHMOND’s disastrous finish to last season will ensure Damien Hardwick’s men receive one of the easiest draws in Thursday’s 2017 AFL fixture release.
The Tigers are set to receive a maximum of only one double-up match-up against the top-six sides next season after slumping into the bottom-six of the ladder this year.
Richmond won only one of its last six games to fall into 13th spot.
It means the Tigers will be guaranteed one of the softest line-ups in 2017 with a minimum of two and maximum of three double-up games against fellow bottom six-sides, including Carlton (14th) and Essendon (18th).
They will avoid frequent run-ins with powerhouse teams from the top-six.
Collingwood finished 12th this year and narrowly avoided the same fixture benefits.
The AFL’s weighted rule is designed to create more on-field equity, whereby clubs are scheduled to play more frequent games against teams at similar stages of development.
A kind start to Richmond’s 2017 campaign could help take the pressure off Hardwick, whose assistant coaching panel was overhauled on the back of a disappointing 2016.
Hardwick is out of contract at the end of 2018.
The Tigers have genuine hopes of re-entering the finals mix next season after stacking their midfield with the inclusion of prime onballers Josh Caddy, from Geelong, and Suns’ star Dion Prestia at the expense of veteran Brett Deledio.
Richmond was last night installed a $1.55 favourite with TAB to win the traditional season-opener against Carlton at the MCG.
Teams from the top-six, including premiers Western Bulldogs, Hawthorn and Geelong, will receive the harshest draws.
They are drawn to play a minimum of two and maximum of three double-up games against fellow top-six teams.
Just outside the top-six bracket are North Melbourne and West Coast, who both lost their first-round finals match-ups and will form part of the middle-six grouping in the fixture release.
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